Lateral retention member

ABSTRACT

A motor vehicle includes a frame, a first pair of wheels connected to the frame, a second pair of wheels connected to the frame, a motor supported by the frame and operatively connected to at least one of the pair of wheels, a cockpit in the frame, a first seat disposed in the cockpit, a bed in the frame longitudinally rearward of the cockpit, the bed having at least one side wall, a second seat disposed in the bed, the second seat having a seat base and a seat back, the seat back being foldable between a storage position and a seating position, and a lateral retention member fixed to the at least one side wall of the bed, at least a portion of the lateral retention member being disposed higher than the seat base and forward of the seat back of the second seat when in the seating position.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiments disclosed are related to the field of retention membersfor side-by-side motor vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Side-by-side utility vehicles have a generally open construction. Inorder to protect the cockpit, the utility vehicle may include a rollover protection structure, which may include a roll cage and netting. Itis advantageous to include additional structure to protect the cockpitseating area, particularly the upper torso of an occupant.

APPLICATION SUMMARY

The features and advantages described in the specification are not allinclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantageswill be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of thedrawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted thatthe language used in the specification has been principally selected forreadability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selectedto delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.

According to an aspect of the embodiments, a motor vehicle includes aframe, a first pair of wheels connected to the frame, a second pair ofwheels connected to the frame, a motor supported by the frame andoperatively connected to at least one of the pair of wheels, a cockpitin the frame, a first seat disposed in the cockpit, a bed in the framelongitudinally rearward of the cockpit, the bed having at least one sidewall, a second seat disposed in the bed, the second seat having a seatbase and a seat back, the seat back being foldable between a storageposition and a seating position, and a lateral retention member fixed tothe at least one side wall of the bed, at least a portion of the lateralretention member being disposed higher than the seat base and forward ofthe seat back of the second seat when in the seating position.

According to another aspect, a motor vehicle includes a frame, a firstpair of wheels connected to the frame, a second pair of wheels connectedto the frame, a motor supported by the frame and operatively connectedto at least one of the pair of wheels, a cockpit in the frame, a rollcage supported by the frame encapsulating the cockpit, a first seatdisposed in the cockpit, a bed in the frame longitudinally rearward ofthe cockpit, the bed having at least one side wall, a second seatdisposed in the bed, the second seat having a seat base and a seat back,the seat back being foldable between a storage position and a seatingposition, a first lateral retention member fixed to the roll cage, atleast a portion of the lateral retention member being disposed higherthan the seat base and forward of the seat back of the first seat whenin the seating position, and a second lateral retention member fixed tothe at least one side wall of the bed, at least a portion of the lateralretention member being disposed higher than the seat base and forward ofthe seat back of the second seat when in the seating position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is side perspective view of a motor vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a close up view of one embodiment of a front lateral retentionmember of the motor vehicle in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the front lateral retention memberof FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the front lateral retention memberof FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a close up view of another embodiment of a front lateralretention member of the motor vehicle in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the front lateral retention memberof FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the front lateral retention memberof FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a close up view of an embodiment of a rear lateral retentionmember of the motor vehicle in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of the rear lateral retention memberof FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the rear lateral retention memberof FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a close up view of another embodiment of a rear lateralretention member of the motor vehicle in FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the rear lateral retention memberof FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a side perspective view of the rear lateral retention memberof FIG. 11.

The figures depict various embodiments of the embodiments for purposesof illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize fromthe following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structuresand methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing fromthe principles of the embodiments described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments are described with reference to the Figures in which likereference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.Also in the figures, the left most digits of each reference numbercorresponds to the figure in which the reference number is first used.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a motor vehicle 100. The motorvehicle 100 includes a frame 102, a front pair of wheels 104 and a rearpair of wheels 106 connected to the frame 102, and a motor 108 held bythe frame 102 that is operatively connected to at least one of eitherthe front wheels 104 or rear wheels 106. A cockpit 110 is located in themiddle of the frame 102, in which is located the front seat 112 of themotor vehicle 100, as well as the driver controls, such as the steeringwheel 114 and the like, necessary for an user to drive the motor vehicle100. Located longitudinally rearward of the cockpit 110 is a bed 116, inwhich cargo may be loaded. The bed includes sidewalls 118 and a tailgate120 that help to stow cargo. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the bed116 also includes a fold-down second row seat 122, which enables themotor vehicle 100 to carry additional passengers.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the motor vehicle also includes a roll overprotection structure 124. The roll over protection structure 124includes a roll cage 126, which protects the cockpit 110 and bed 116 inthe event of a rollover, and netting 128, which helps to prevent usersor cargo from being ejected from the motor vehicle 100 in the event of arollover.

The roll over protection structure 124 further includes a front lateralretention member 200, one embodiment of which is illustrated in FIGS.2-4, and a second embodiment of which is illustrated in FIGS. 5-7. Thefront lateral retention member 200 operates as part the roll overprotection structure 124 by being adjacent the torso of a user to keepthe torso inside of the motor vehicle 100 during a rollover event. Asshown in FIG. 3, block 202 represents the upper arm of a user seated inthe front seat 112 of the motor vehicle 100. The front lateral retentionmember 200 is a generally U-shaped tube or pipe 206, the ends of whichare welded to the B-pillar 204 of the roll cage 126 of the rolloverprotection structure 124. The front lateral retention member 200 islocated primarily forward of the seat back 208, above the seat cushion210, and beneath the top of the block 202, signifying that the frontlateral retention member 200 is adjacent the upper arm and beneath theshoulder of the typical user. In the embodiment shown, the netting 128is located inside of the front lateral retention member 200, between thefront lateral retention member 200 and the front seat 112.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the front lateralretention member 200. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the front lateralretention member 200 is a generally L-shaped tube or pipe 500 thatincludes brackets 602, 604 at each end. The brackets 602, 604 are inturn bolted to the roll over protection structure 124. The upper bracket602 is bolted to the B-pillar 204 of the roll cage 126, and as shown inFIGS. 6-7, the lower bracket 604 is bolted to a support structure 606 ofthe roll cage 126 attached to the B-pillar 204. As with the previousembodiment, the front lateral retention member 200 is located primarilyforward of the seat back 208, above the seat cushion (not shown), andbeneath the top of the block 202, signifying that the front lateralretention member 200 is adjacent the upper arm and beneath the shoulderof the typical user.

The roll over protection structure 124 further includes a rear lateralretention member 800, one embodiment of which is illustrated in FIGS.8-10, and a second embodiment of which is illustrated in FIGS. 11-13.The rear lateral retention member 800 operates as part the roll overprotection structure 124 by being adjacent the torso of a user seated inthe rear seat 122 to keep the torso inside of the motor vehicle 100during a rollover event. As shown in FIG. 8, block 802 represents theupper arm of a user seated in the rear seat 122 of the motor vehicle100. The rear lateral retention member 800 is a generally U-shaped tubeor pipe 806, the ends of which are welded to the side wall 118 of thebed 116 of the motor vehicle 100. The rear lateral retention member 800is located primarily forward of the seat back 808, above the seatcushion (not shown), and beneath the top of the block 802, signifyingthat the rear lateral retention member 800 is adjacent the upper arm andbeneath the shoulder of the typical user. In the embodiment shown, thenetting 128 is located inside of the rear lateral retention member 800,between the rear lateral retention member 800 and the rear seat 122.

FIGS. 11-13 illustrate an alternate embodiment of the rear lateralretention member 800. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the rear lateralretention member 800 is a generally U-shaped tube or pipe 1100 thatincludes brackets 1302, 1304 at each end. The brackets 1302, 1304 are inturn bolted to the side wall 118 of the bed 116. The first bracket 1302is bolted to a first portion 1306 of the side wall 118 of the bed 116,and as shown in FIGS. 12-13, the second bracket 1304 is bolted to asecond portion 1308 of the side wall 118 of the bed 116. As with theprevious embodiment, the rear lateral retention member 800 is locatedprimarily forward of the seat back 808, above the seat cushion (notshown), and beneath the top of the block 802, signifying that the rearlateral retention member 800 is adjacent the upper arm and beneath theshoulder of the typical user as seated in the rear seat 122.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or to “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiments is included in at least oneembodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “anembodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarilyall referring to the same embodiment.

In addition, the language used in the specification has been principallyselected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not havebeen selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments is intended to beillustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the embodiments, whichis set forth in the claims.

While particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated anddescribed herein, it is to be understood that the embodiments are notlimited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein andthat various modifications, changes, and variations may be made in thearrangement, operation, and details of the methods and apparatuses ofthe embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of theembodiments as defined in the appended claims.

1. A motor vehicle, comprising: a frame; a first pair of wheelsconnected to the frame; a second pair of wheels connected to the frame;a motor supported by the frame and operatively connected to at least oneof the pair of wheels; a cockpit in the frame; a first seat disposed inthe cockpit; a bed in the frame longitudinally rearward of the cockpit,the bed having at least one side wall; a second seat disposed in thebed, the second seat having a seat base and a seat back, the seat backbeing foldable between a storage position and a seating position; and alateral retention member fixed to and extending upwardly from the atleast one side wall of the bed, at least a portion of the lateralretention member being disposed higher than the seat base and forward ofthe seat back of the second seat when in the seating position.
 2. Themotor vehicle of claim 1 wherein the lateral retention member comprises:a generally U-shaped pipe having first and second ends; and wherein thefirst and second ends are attached to the at least one side wall of thebed.
 3. The motor vehicle of claim 2 wherein the first and second endsare welded to the at least one side wall of the bed.
 4. The motorvehicle of claim 2 wherein the lateral retention member furthercomprises: a first bracket attached to the first end of the generallyU-shaped pipe; a second bracket attached to the second end of thegenerally U-shaped pipe; and wherein the first bracket and secondbracket are bolted to the at least one side wall of the bed.
 5. A motorvehicle, comprising: a frame; a first pair of wheels connected to theframe; a second pair of wheels connected to the frame; a motor supportedby the frame and operatively connected to at least one of the pair ofwheels; a cockpit in the frame; a roll cage supported by the frameencapsulating the cockpit; a first seat disposed in the cockpit; a bedin the frame longitudinally rearward of the cockpit, the bed having atleast one side wall; a second seat disposed in the bed, the second seathaving a seat base and a seat back, the seat back being foldable betweena storage position and a seating position; a first lateral retentionmember fixed to the roll cage, at least a portion of the lateralretention member being disposed higher than the seat base and forward ofthe seat back of the first seat when in the seating position; and asecond lateral retention member fixed to and extending upwardly from theat least one side wall of the bed, at least a portion of the lateralretention member being disposed higher than the seat base and forward ofthe seat back of the second seat when in the seating position.
 6. Themotor vehicle of claim 5 wherein the second lateral retention membercomprises: a generally U-shaped pipe having first and second ends; andwherein the first and second ends are attached to the at least one sidewall of the bed.
 7. The motor vehicle of claim 6 wherein the first andsecond ends are welded to the at least one side wall of the bed.
 8. Themotor vehicle of claim 6 wherein the second lateral retention memberfurther comprises: a first bracket attached to the first end of thegenerally U-shaped pipe; a second bracket attached to the second end ofthe generally U-shaped pipe; and wherein the first bracket and secondbracket are bolted to the at least one side wall of the bed.
 9. Themotor vehicle of claim 5 wherein the first lateral retention membercomprises: a generally U-shaped pipe having first and second ends; andwherein the first and second ends are attached to the roll cage.
 10. Themotor vehicle of claim 9 wherein the first and second ends are welded tothe roll cage.
 11. The motor vehicle of claim 5 wherein the firstlateral retention member comprises: a generally L-shaped pipe havingfirst and second ends; and wherein the first and second ends areattached to the roll cage.
 12. The motor vehicle of claim 11 wherein thefirst lateral retention member further comprises: a first bracketattached to the first end of the generally L-shaped pipe; a secondbracket attached to the second end of the generally L-shaped pipe; andwherein the first bracket and second bracket are bolted to the rollcage.
 13. A motor vehicle, comprising: a frame; a first pair of wheelsconnected to the frame; a second pair of wheels connected to the frame;a motor supported by the frame and operatively connected to at least oneof the pair of wheels; a cockpit in the frame; a first seat disposed inthe cockpit; a bed in the frame longitudinally rearward of the cockpit,the bed having a first side wall and a second side wall; a second seatdisposed in the bed, the second seat having a seat base and a seat back,the seat back being foldable between a storage position and a seatingposition; a first lateral retention member fixed to and extendingupwardly from the first side wall of the bed, at least a portion of thelateral retention member being disposed higher than the seat base andforward of the seat back of the second seat when in the seatingposition; and a second lateral retention member fixed to and extendingupwardly from the second side wall of the bed, at least a portion of thelateral retention member being disposed higher than the seat base andforward of the seat back of the second seat when in the seatingposition.
 14. The motor vehicle of claim 13 wherein the first lateralretention member comprises a generally U-shaped first pipe having firstand second ends, wherein the first and second ends are attached to thefirst side wall of the bed, and the second lateral retention membercomprises a generally U-shaped second pipe having first and second ends,wherein the first and second ends are attached to the second side wallof the bed.
 15. The motor vehicle of claim 14 wherein the first andsecond ends of the first pipe are welded to the first side wall of thebed and the first and second ends of the second piper are welded to thesecond side wall of the bed.
 16. The motor vehicle of claim 14 furthercomprising: a first bracket attached to the first end of the generallyU-shaped first pipe; a second bracket attached to the second end of thegenerally U-shaped pipe; a third bracket attached to the first end ofthe generally U-shaped second pipe; a fourth bracket attached to thesecond end of the generally U-shaped second pipe; and wherein the firstbracket and second bracket are bolted to the first side wall of the bedand the third bracket and fourth bracket are bolted to the second sidewall of the bed.